Soviet Union's T-70 light tank

Photos

Design

The T-70 was designed by, N. A. Astrov, who wanted to create a light tank that had more armor, a larger gun, and better cross country capabilities than the T-60.

Though the T-70 was a decent design, many felt it wasn't an improvement over the T-60.

The turret was place on the left side. Two engines were mounted in tandem on the right side. Each engine drove a track. The differential and main clutch were united with the engines in one block. The T-70's idler was in the rear and the power in the front.

In September 1942, strengthened running gear was installed. The tracks were widened to 300 mm, and the road wheels and return rollers were made wider. The drive wheels and drive shafts were improved.

Main Armament

The 45 mm gun fired a 3.2 lb APHE shell at a muzzle velocity of 2,500'/sec.

Crew

The turret could only hold one man, the commander who also was the loader and gunner for the 45 mm gun. There were some attempts to install an automatic loader for the 45 mm but these were unsuccessful.

The driver had an armored visor installed.

Crews didn't like the tank as its fuel tanks were easy to ignite.

Engine

Starting in September 1943 the T-70s started to receive the GAZ-203 engine (85 HP).

Production

In March 1942 the T-70 was accepted for production.

Factories No. 37 and No. 38 at the Gorki Automobile Works produced the tanks and were sometimes built alongside the T-60s.

T-70: >8,000, 8,226, 8,266

Manufacturer: Soviet arsenals

Production: March 1942 - October 1943, ? - October 1943, ? - 1943

1942: 4,883

1943: 3,343

Variants

T-70 (Model 1942): January 1942 started to replace T-60. Some chassis used to mount 1 or 2 SU-37 AA guns. Rear of turret is rounded.

T-70A (Model 1943): In September 1943 armor was increased and more powerful engines. Rear of turret was squared off. Production ceased in October 1943.

SU-12, SU-76: Factory No. 92 in Gorki and No. 38 in Kirov developed a self-propelled version of the T-70 designed by the bureaus of Generals Petrov and Grabin. It was lengthened and widened. It was to mount the 76.2 mm ZIS-3 divisional cannon. In December 1942 it was redesignated the SU-76.

Usage

The T-70s were primarily used for infantry support and reconnaissance.